Excessive thirst commonly seen in diabetes?

Excessive thirst commonly seen in diabetes?

• A. Anaphylaxis
• B. Polyphagia
• C. Polyuria
• D. Polydipsia

Answer: (D)

Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is a common symptom of diabetes. When blood glucose levels are high, glucose spills into the urine. Glucose in the filtrate pulls water with it (osmotic diuresis), increasing urine output and causing dehydration. The body then triggers the thirst sensation to replace the lost fluids, leading to polydipsia. The other terms describe different effects: heightened hunger, or polyphagia, and increased urination, or polyuria, which is related but does not describe the thirst itself. Anaphylaxis is unrelated to this metabolic context.

Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is a common symptom of diabetes. When blood glucose levels are high, glucose spills into the urine. Glucose in the filtrate pulls water with it (osmotic diuresis), increasing urine output and causing dehydration. The body then triggers the thirst sensation to replace the lost fluids, leading to polydipsia. The other terms describe different effects: heightened hunger, or polyphagia, and increased urination, or polyuria, which is related but does not describe the thirst itself. Anaphylaxis is unrelated to this metabolic context.